Things to Do in Marshall Islands in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Marshall Islands
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Wet season means fewer tourists across all atolls - you'll actually have dive sites and lagoons largely to yourself, which is increasingly rare in the Pacific. Most accommodations drop rates by 15-20% compared to the drier months of January through March.
- Water visibility is surprisingly excellent in December despite being wet season - typically 24-30 m (80-100 ft) - because the Marshall Islands don't have runoff from mountains or rivers. The rain just doesn't muddy the water the way it does in continental destinations.
- December brings manta ray aggregations to several sites around Majuro and Arno Atoll. The plankton blooms that come with increased rainfall draw them in, and you'll see groups of 8-12 individuals feeding in channels, which is genuinely spectacular.
- Fishing conditions are actually ideal in December - the yellowfin tuna and wahoo runs are strong, and local charter captains tend to have more availability than the peak season months. Expect to pay $800-1,200 for full-day charters that would cost $1,500+ in February.
Considerations
- December sits right in wet season, which means you're looking at brief but intense squalls roughly every other day. These typically roll through in late afternoon and last 30-45 minutes, occasionally disrupting boat schedules to outer atolls. Inter-island flights on Air Marshall Islands can get delayed or rescheduled with 24-48 hours notice.
- Limited tourism infrastructure means fewer backup options when weather doesn't cooperate - there aren't museums, shopping centers, or extensive indoor activities to pivot to. If you need constant entertainment options, this might feel restrictive during rainy stretches.
- The combination of 70% humidity and 27-30°C (81-86°F) temperatures creates that sticky tropical climate that some travelers find exhausting. Air conditioning isn't universal in budget accommodations, and even a short walk can leave you drenched in sweat.
Best Activities in December
Bikini Atoll Wreck Diving Expeditions
December offers some of the clearest water conditions for exploring the nuclear test site wrecks - the USS Saratoga, USS Arkansas, and Japanese vessels rest at 15-55 m (50-180 ft). The wet season paradoxically brings better visibility here because there's less wind stirring up surface particles. Water temps hold steady at 28°C (82°F), so you're comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. The historical significance combined with world-class wreck diving makes this genuinely unique - you won't find this combination anywhere else on Earth. Worth noting that Bikini Atoll trips require significant advance planning since liveaboards only run when they have enough divers committed.
Majuro Lagoon Kayaking and Paddleboarding
The protected lagoon stays relatively calm even during December's squalls, making it ideal for paddling between the islets that make up Majuro Atoll. Early mornings from 6:30-9:00am offer glass-calm conditions before the afternoon heat builds. You'll paddle past WWII relics, traditional fishing spots, and small villages where locals still practice outrigger canoe building. The humidity actually makes water activities more comfortable than land-based exploration during midday hours. Rental operations cluster around Laura Beach and the airport area.
Arno Atoll Traditional Navigation and Sailing
December's consistent trade winds make this an excellent month for experiencing traditional stick chart navigation and outrigger canoe sailing with Marshallese master navigators. Several families on Arno Atoll, about 15 km (9 miles) from Majuro, offer cultural immersion experiences where you'll learn wave piloting techniques that predate GPS by centuries. The wet season doesn't significantly impact these activities since traditional navigators actually use weather patterns as part of their wayfinding system. This is genuinely insider knowledge being shared - not a commercialized tourist show.
Kwajalein Atoll WWII Historical Tours
December's slightly cooler mornings make exploring the extensive WWII battlefield sites more manageable than the hotter dry season months. Kwajalein saw intense fighting in 1944, and the islands are scattered with bunkers, gun emplacements, and aircraft wreckage. The U.S. military base requires special access, but the outer islands of Kwajalein Atoll are accessible and offer powerful historical context with far fewer visitors than Pacific War sites in Guam or Palau. Local guides provide perspectives you won't find in history books, particularly around Marshallese experiences during the occupation and battle.
Ailuk Atoll Lagoon Fishing and Island Camping
December brings excellent fishing conditions to the northern atolls, and Ailuk offers the most accessible outer atoll experience from Majuro. The lagoon holds bonefish, trevally, and barracuda, while the outer reef drops off dramatically for pelagic species. The wet season means you'll have entire islets to yourself - the handful of visitors who come to the Marshalls in December rarely make it this far out. Basic camping on uninhabited islets is possible, giving you that genuine castaway experience. The afternoon squalls actually provide welcome relief from the sun and create dramatic light for photography.
Laura Beach Sunset and Stargazing Sessions
December's evening squalls usually clear by sunset, leaving exceptionally clean air for stargazing. Laura Beach on Majuro's western end offers the darkest skies accessible without flying to outer atolls. The Marshalls sit just north of the equator, so you'll see both northern and southern celestial hemispheres. Local astronomy enthusiasts occasionally organize informal stargazing sessions, sharing traditional Marshallese star navigation knowledge alongside modern astronomy. The beach itself is one of the few sandy stretches on Majuro that's swimmable year-round, making it ideal for combining sunset swims with evening relaxation.
December Events & Festivals
Kurijmoj Christmas Celebrations
The Marshall Islands celebrate Kurijmoj throughout December, blending Christian traditions with Marshallese culture. Communities organize canoe races, traditional dancing, and massive feasts featuring local foods like barramundi, breadfruit, and coconut-based dishes. The celebrations build toward Christmas Day with church services conducted in Marshallese. It's genuinely community-focused rather than tourist-oriented, but visitors who show respectful interest are typically welcomed to public events. The atmosphere on Majuro becomes noticeably festive with decorations appearing in mid-December.